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Cardinals begin conclave in Rome

HMCONCLAVEGALLERY

St Peter's Square in Rome this morning. Cardinals are entering the conclave today to decide on who becomes the next pontiff. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Different sizes of papal vestments hang ready for use at the Sistine Chapel in advance of the conclave. Tailors delivered three different sizes of white vestments - small, medium and large - confident that whoever becomes pope will be able to find a garment to fit him before stepping out onto the balcony. Photograph: Osservatore Romano/Reuters

Cardinal Francis Arinze (80) of Nigeria exits St Peter's Basilica in Rome after he attended the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass before he and the other Cardinals will enter the conclave to decide who the next pope will be. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images